What You Should Never Leave Out if You’ve Got a Roaming Dog Problem
Roaming dogs don’t need a reason to snoop around—if they catch a scent, hear movement, or see a chance to chase something, they’re in. And once they’ve been on your property once, they’re likely to come back.
If you’ve had issues with stray or neighbor dogs, certain things around the yard could be making it worse. Locking gates might help, but removing the temptation is a big part of keeping them out.
Open Feed Buckets or Feed Sacks
Dog noses are strong enough to smell kibble through plastic and grain through the sack. Leaving feed out is an open invitation for a dog to sniff around, chew something open, or mark it.
Even closed feed tubs can get knocked over if a dog is determined. Keep them inside a shed, barn, or bin with a latch. Don’t rely on weight alone to keep a curious dog from tipping it.
Chickens Left in Portable Runs
Tractors and small runs aren’t enough to stop a dog that wants to dig or flip something. If your chickens are in the yard during the day, a roaming dog can do a lot of damage fast.
If you’ve seen dogs around recently, move your portable run somewhere visible from the house and reinforce the edges with bricks or timbers to prevent tipping.
Bones or Scraps in the Fire Pit
Even if they’ve been burned, leftover scraps still smell like food to a dog. A used fire pit with meat bones or grease can pull a dog in from down the road.
Clean out the pit regularly, especially after cooking out. If a dog learns that your yard equals food—even old food—it’ll find a way to come back.
Garbage Bags Waiting for Pickup
It doesn’t matter if trash day is in the morning—if the bags are outside overnight, they’re fair game. Dogs can rip into them, scatter everything, and leave a bigger mess for you.
If pickup isn’t immediate, keep bags in a bin with a lid or store them in a spot the dog can’t access. Even better, hold off putting them out until the last minute.
Soft Toys or Balls Near the Fence
If a kid or dog toy is left near the edge of your yard, it can catch the eye of a roaming dog and start a fence-line obsession. Some dogs will chew or try to drag toys back through gaps.
Keep anything soft or bouncy off the ground when not in use. Even a forgotten ball can kick off a digging or barking session you don’t want to deal with.
Compost Piles Without a Cover
If you’ve got eggshells, fruit, or anything food-related in your compost, a dog will be drawn to it fast. Open piles are an easy target for digging and nosing through.
Cover the pile with a lid or tarp, and make sure it’s far from the fence. Better yet, use a compost bin with a lock or latch so it doesn’t become a buffet line.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
